India set 274-run target for New Zealand

Napier: Brilliant half-centuries by Virender Sehwag, captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Suresh Raina powered India to score 273/4 in 38 overs in the first ODI against New Zealand at McLean Park in Napier on Tuesday.

The match was reduced to 38 overs a side after rain forced the delay shortly after the start.

Virender Sehwag once again gave a blistering start to India as he scored 77 from 56 balls. Ross Taylor took a superb catch diving to his left to end Sehwag's innings and give New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori his first wicket. Sehwag hit a six and 11 fours in his belligerent knock.

Indian captain Dhoni who promoted himself to N0 3 remained not out on 84 off 89 balls with six boundaries. Yusuf Pathan hit a six and 2 fours in his unbeaten knock of 20 that came off 10 balls.

The 100-run partnership between Dhoni and Raina came after India lost Yuvraj Singh and Sehwag in quick succession to be reduced to 131/3 in 22.4 overs. quick succession to be reduced to 131/3 in 22.4 overs.

India lost the third wicket when Dhoni flicked to deep mid-wicket and called Yuvraj for two who was not fast enough to beat the throw from Martin Guptill into the hands of his captain Daniel Vettori to run out the southpaw who scored 2 runs.

Ian Butler gave New Zealand the first breakthrough when he dismissed Sachin Tendulkar to put India at 69/1 in 9.4 overs.

Sachin edged a rising delivery into the hands of keeper Brendon McCullum after hitting 2 fours in his 23-ball 20.

Earlier, Indian captain MS Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first against New Zealand in the first ODI of the series at Napier. The Indian squad was strengthened by the entry of Sachin Tendulkar in the playing eleven.

Ishant Sharma had to miss the game due to a shoulder injury. The speedster expressed hope that he"d be able to regain fitness before the second ODI.

The three changes for the Indian squad from the previous game were the coming in of Sachin Tendulkar, Munaf Patel and Praveen Kumar in place of Rohit Sharma, Irfan Pathan and Ishant Sharma. For New Zealand, Tim Southee was replaced by Grant Elliott.